good wednesday morning to you. here's what's coming up on "early today," did the white house go too far? increased scrutiny over its drone sight program and a bipartisan group of senators want answers. if it goes through, expect about 1 million people to lose their jobs. custom food programs and much more. plus, a nasty storm is headed to the northeast. major college hoops. and skier lindsey vonn suffers a terrible injury. "early today" right now. >> announcer: this is "early today" for wednesday, february 6th, 2013. good morning, it's nice to

see you this morning. i'm veronica de la cruz. the white house coming under fire for new information about pretty da tour drones come just a day after nbc uncovered a confidential memo on the program. the report shows deadly strikes can be ordered against u.s. citizens who are found to be operations of al qaeda. white house officials defended the program. >> we cutting those strikes because they are necessary to mitigate ongoing actual threats to stop blocks and prevent future attacks and again save american lives. these strikes are legal, they're ethical and they're wise. >> drones have been used to take out more than 400 terrorist targets in pakistan and the middle east. it's expected to be a focal point when nomination hearings begin for john brennan. and the 8.2 quake struck

near the solomon islands and reports say at least five people were killed. people were evacuated in fiji and australia because of the threat of the tsunami, but warnings that were issued have been canceled. the young victim of the hostage standoff celebrates his 6th birthday today, we're learning more about his intense rescue. this as investigators continue to comb the underground fortress and the underground of his captor. >> reporter: the fbi leased these photos of the suspect's property along with more detailed information about the rescue of 5-year-old ethan. nbc has learned as a result of ongoing negotiations, the kidnapper jimmy lee dykes was expecting delivery of additional comfort items. four members of the hostage team approached the bunker and opened the hatch. dropping in a flash bang device to distract dykes. authorities say dykes was

disoriented but managed to fire off one shot. the hostage team shot and killed dykes then rescued ethan. federal investigators say they found explosive devices, one inside the bunker and one in the ventilation pipe shown in this photo. ethan spent the night in the hospital monday after the dramatic rescue and is now said to be physically fine. >> he was running around the hospital room, putting sticky notes on everyone that was in there. eating a turkey sandwich and watching spongebob. >> reporter: tuesday night in midland city, the community came together for an early birthday celebration. ethan turned 6 on wednesday. kurt gregory, nbc news. democrats on a retreat in maryland will get a visit from the president as he rallied support for his second term budget including automatic spending that kicks in march 1st. tracie potts has reaction from republicans. good morning.

>> reporter: good morning, everyone. president obama is telling congress they got $85 billion in automatic cuts coming at the end of this month, they should work on a temporary fix while they're working on a permanent budget. but republicans say the focus really needs to be on even deeper spending cuts. and we also have a new forecast from the nonpartisan congressional budget office. they're saying that unemployment may remain high through 2014 and drop after that. but that we're looking at the smallest budget deficit since president obama has been in office, well under $1 trillion at $845 billion. and they say federal revenue, going up 25% in part because of that fiscal cliff deal. well, a major decision expected from the boy scouts of america. national board members set to vote on whether to leave the decades-long ban on gay leaders and scouts.

in texas, it is a controversial issue drawing fire from both sides and putting one of the country's largest youth organizations under a microscope. president obama said over the weekend scouting should be open to everyone while texas governor rick perry expressed the opposite opinion. local scout units will be able to decide on whether to leave gays to their ranks. and on the heels, the pentagon is announcing a policy shift. leon panetta is expected to expand some benefits to granting access to various spots on bases are said to be included. however, it remains droughtful that mental, dental, housing allowances would be offered under the new proposal. an extension of those benefits would require an appeal of 1996 distance of marriage act. and now for a look at the winter storm that is approaching the northeast. this one's going to be nasty,

right? >> it has the potential. i have a feeling this is like the first day of school. this is the big shot a big storm in the northeast ever since november after sandy. that was a crazy nor'easter. but this is your typical midwestern storm. the moisture is starting to increase across texas with the rain and thunderstorms. we've seen that in laredo and san antonio. but this will be the rainy spot throughout the day today. over the next 48 hours we'll track this to the southeast. potentially an inch and a half to two inches of rain in this area north of atlanta. and out to the outer banks. after that is when the storm should get more powerful off the east coast. this is where the european computer model and snowfall predictions from it. again, this isn't exact. this is 60 hours out. but this is the center of the storm. it intensifies as it heads off

of cape cod and nantucket. looks like a line from philadelphia southward, you're probably too warm for anything significant but north of there, new england, our computers are hinting at a possibility of a foot to two feet of snow. so very significant high-impact event friday into saturday morning. we'll have more details on that. of course, your nbc station will take you through the storm. that's a look at your national forecast. now, here's a look at weather outside your window. >> so, a nice calm day out there in the areas of the east it actually looks like a decent thursday. charlotte beautiful, 62. the cold air will arrive even in the carolinas as we go throughout the day tomorrow. >> so once again, the bottom line is, anyone planning on traveling friday afternoon, friday night and saturday morning through southern new england, it's going to be a sticky situation. make sure you have alternative plans starting now. >> and when is it out of here, sunday? >> by saturday night.

actually fast moving. >> thanks, bill. an odd couple pairing hopes the obama plan takes shape. plus, a federally funded video crossed the line from training tool to copycat ad? "early today" is back in two minutes.

good morning, welcome back. here are some stories making news this morning. president obama's building support for his immigration support plan. he's meeting labors of business and activist groups at the white house. the president will make visit t spring. president obama is also planning to make stops on the west bank of jordan. this is day two of iranian president mahmoud ahmadinejad to egypt. the first by an iranian leader in 30 years. at one point he had to leave the

mosque when a protester threw a shoe at him. and a mock shooting at school. using it it too dramatic too soon after sandy hook. some lawmakers want to limit governor cuomo's use of his powers. steven mclaughlin said he rejected it the day it was used. >> if that's not dictatorial, i don't know what is. hitler would be proud. mussolini would be proud of what we did here. moscow would be proud but that's not democracy. >> the comments were immediately rejected by leaders of both parties and mclawn lynn apologized. we have spectacular images of nasa of the spiral galaxy 20 mill light years from earth. abbott center is a massive black

hole. other health news, diet soda may help keep these calories down but it's not going to help to keep you sober. a new study shows drinking diet soda as a mixer with alcohol is not going to lessen the effects of booze. those who used diet soda were 20% more intoxicated than those who used regular drinks. as bulls and bears continue, earnings continue to flood the streets. keep an eye on disney. they beat the earnings for 2012. after the bell, zynga shot up as the farmville maker copes with online gamers. and chipotle was also high on online sales as it continues to span. cable group liberty global struck a deal with virgin media for about $20 billion and buts

john malone up against rupert murdoch. the fbi arrested 18 thieves tuesday, ringleaders in a massive credit card scan who created thousands of identities to steal millions of dollars over the last decade. meanwhile, the federal reserve is admitting one of its servers was hacked. the bank said no functions were compromised. the state of florida is in hot water with executives over a $380 million ad campaign designed to attract new business. instead, it's getting called sexist because the "i" in florida has been replaced with a men's neck tie. researcher at kansas state university claim between 60% and a whopping 80% of the time at the office is spent cyberloafing, the official term for watching cute animals or

shopping online at the office. according to a pew survey, more and more web users some like 60% taking breaks from facebook, the reason from privacy policies and disagreements, and too much drama. who needs it. sports are next, including a major upset in college basketball. plus, drivers came to an sight in philly. and check out this explosion, not a moment too soon.

in washington state, newly released video shows ace very close call for two firefighters reminiscent in the movie "back draft." the pair escaped by running. the fire completely destroyed an elementary school over the weekend. in philadelphia, morning commuters came across a bizarre sight. it may look like some serious partying went down with a giants keg. police said that was not the case. in wisconsin one university added some sparkle to its college cheerleading squad. >> i wanted my dream to come true to become a cheerleader. >> the u.w. platteville team added eight kids with

disabilities to make it the first in the nation to join what is called the sparkle effect to get a shot at cheerleading. finally, a texas rodeo star. whiplash, the monkey is a fan favorite each time he rides into the arena. his trainer plans to keep the show going as long as people want to see whiplash ride. in sports, a big upset in college basketball. number 2 florida faced unranked arkansas who took the early lead and they ever ended up cruising to an easy win. in 84 time, number 3 michigan led by two points and stopped number 10 ohio state from scoring as time wore out. and wolverines beat the buckeyes 77-44. and in baseball, ryan braun admits he consulted with a

doctors but braun said the 2010 drug test. and lindsey vonn suffered a broken bone and torn ligaments in her leg. she's done for the season but will be back for the winter olympics. and welcoming home the super bowl champions, the baltimore ravens, and looking ahead to the super bowl, nfl officials are debunking rumors that themet life stadium. finally, a grandmother in naples florida pulled off a golfer's dream. 69-year-old roz collette shot a hole in one. 13 days later she did the same thing in the same hole. she's had five hole hole in ones in her life, one for each of her five grandchildren.

just ahead is the "star wars" franchise about to go the way of the jabba the hutt. plus you the coolest basketball player around. a preview right here before you meet him on the "today" show.

well, earlier i showed you our long-range european computer model. the other reliable american long-range model is call the gfs. but it also has a storm coming off of hatteras on friday. and then just off of cape cod on

friday evening. again, this will be cold enough for significant snows even with this model, especially in southern new england. there's still some questions around the new york city area, northern jersey. the temperature profile, it's all snow with mixes. regardless, that storm that is now over texas will track to the next few days to somewhere off of new england friday. what do people do the great super bowl blackout of 2013. they switched to the puppy bowl, of course. the viewing increased 54 are% during the power failure. those of you hoping for a "friends" reunion will sort of get your wish when courteney cox stars on perry's "go on." disney has announced with a new episode, 7, 8 and 9, they're also planning several "star wars" films. get ready, starting in 2014,

we're going have a new "star wars" come out every single year. for better or worse. i'm going to say worse. >> do you think it will ruin it? >> it's going to kill the brand. something we grew up with. >> glass half full. >> originals are always better, bill. this comes from kcn in texas where one woman is making sure homecoming soldiers are welcomed back with open arms. elizabeth laird has a hug awaiting each soldier from the battlefield. by her estimate, the 81-year-old has hugged half a million servicemen since 2003. this june, she'll be celebrating ten years of handing out hugs. i'm veronica de la cruz. this is "early today," this, your first stop of the day today on your nbc station.

>> you're watching wbal-tv 11. live, local, late-breaking. this is 11 news today at 5:00 a.m. >> good morning. it should be a pretty quiet weather day. a slight chance for some sprinkles or flurries. 36 downtown. we will see some clouds and maybe some sprinkles or flurries to start the day. we'll take the seven-day forecast through the weekend when i come back. >> look who was back.

4:56. closing out an amazing super bowl run. >> this is the ravens year. this is our time. we brought home another crown. this is two for me. the city of baltimore. i love you. >> it was a sea of purple to make every ravens fan proud. >> it triple stabbing near yesterday's parade. >> sarah caldwell checking on your morning commute. we will bring ♪ we were skipping stones and letting go ♪ ♪ over the river and down the road ♪ [ female announcer ] at nature valley, we know nature comes together in amazing ways. that's why we bring together natural ingredients,

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